Corn-husking machine



May 15, 1928. i 1,669,483

- W. W. MORRAL ET ALv CORN HUSKING MACHIN E Filed Dec. 17, 1925 Q'Sheets-Sneet 1 :afgaat-:ILES

Fanclmcnczxm: EMRR "n im m ATTORNEY May 15, 1928.

w. w. MoRRAL ETVAL CORN HUSKING MACHIN E 2 Sheets-Sn'eez Filed Dec.

A TToP/VE ).f

Patented May l5, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,669,483 PATENT oFFicE.

WILLIA W. IORBAL .AND SAMUEL E. MORRAL, 0F MO-RRAL, OHIO.

CORN-HUSKING MACHINE.

Application inea December 17, 1925. serial Ne. 75,954.

' Thisinvention relates to corn husking machinos and one object of the invention is to provide a husking machine of a well known type which will have an increased eiiiciency in operation and which can be produced at 8. relatively low cost.

A further obj ect of the invention is to lprovid-c a corn husking machine nwith a gaging device of such a character that it will accurately position ears ofy all sizes and ad' vance the butts thereof toward the butt removing device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a corn husking machine with means for preventing the elements of the ga'gin device from filling up or becoming gumme up in such a manner as to interfere with the proper operation thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a corn husking machine having a very simple and highly eilicient devicevfor moving the ears into engagement with the gaging devices. i

A further object of the invention is to provide a corn husking machine with means for preventing the accumulation of husks at the ends of the husking rollers in such a manner as tointerfere withthe movement of the ears along the husking rollers.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the machine is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a corn husking machine embodying oilr invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the Same, partly broken away;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on theline 3-3 of Fig. 2- Fig. 4 is a slde elevation of one of the resilient pressure devices; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the husk loosening device; Fig. 6 is a plan view 'of a portion of one air ofhusking rollers showing the means or preventing the accumulation of husks at the ends thereof; Fig. 7 is a. sectional View showing a slightly modified form of the transverse feeding devicegand Fig. 8 is a detail of the feeding roller shown in Fig. 7. V

In these drawings we have illustrated one embodiment of our invention and have shown thesame as applied to a corn husking mae chine of a well known type but it will be understood that the various improvements ma be applied to corn husking machines of di erent kinds and that the improvements themselves may take variousforms withoutdcparting from the spirit of the invention.

In that particular embodiment of the inchine comprises a main frame 1 on the up er portion of which is supported a table 2 whlch is'preferably inclined as shown. The ears of corn are placed on the lower end of this table by hand, or otherwise, and are moved lengthwise thereof by a conveyor vwhich is lhere shown as of the l)endless type and as comprising sprocket chains 3 whichtravel about sprocket wheels 4 and'I 5 arranged beneath the respective ends of the table 2 and as having secured thereto cleats or flights 6 which travel above the upper surface of the table to engage the ears and move the same along the table. These cleats may be of any suitable character but are here shown as transverse bars carried by the sprocket chains and spaced therefrom so as to permit them to travel above the table.

Mounted at the side of the table near the discharge end thereof is a butt removing device. vIn the present instance we have shown the invention as applied to a double corn husker, that is, a corn husker in which the table is of such a width that'two ears can be placed thereon end to end in advance of each cleat and which is provided at each side thereof with a butt removing device so that two ears can be operated on simultaneously; `\The two butt removing devices and their associated parts are identical in construction and we will therefore describe but one of the butt removing-devices and it will be understood that the description and the reference numerals apply to both butt removing devices. As here shown, each butt removing devi/ce comprises a circular cutter 7 which isV mounted on a shaft 8 journaled in bearings carried by brackets 9 extending upwardly from the main frame 1 on the respective sides of the table. The table is provided at its edges with parts serving as cutter bars to cooperate with the circular cutters and support the ear during the cutting operation. Arranged at the side of the table 2 and in advance of the butt removing device is an ear gaging device to properly i ranged that the space between them will be substantially in line with the butts of the ears which are being moved along the table 2, so that when these ears are moved transversely to the table the butts willi-enter the space between the two gaging rollers. The ga'ging rollers ,10, and 11 are. vcarried by shafts 12 and 13 one of which is driven by beveled gearin 14 from a shaft 15 mounted at the rear en of the frame 1, and the two shafts are connected by-intermeshing gears 16 to cause them to be rotated in opposite directions. Both rollers preferably have their forward ends tapered to facilitate the entrance of the Astem or butt of the ear between them should the stem extend into line' vThe other roller, in t e present instance the upper roller 11, has. a smooth c lindrical surface which cooperates. with t e s iral roller to properly position the ear wit relation thereto and to advance the same to-v ward the cutter. Machines of this sort'lhave heretofore been equipped with gagin devices comprlsing two spiral rollers an also with ga ing devices comprising av single spiral ro er and af fixed aging bar associated with the spiral ro ler. While 'both these former types of gaging devices have o erated fairly well both have developed o ject-ionable vcharacteristics which are entirely overcome by the resent -gaging device. Where two spira rollers. arel employedthere is a tendency for the rollers to dra .the smaller ears in between them and thus either draw the ear entirely through the rollers or move the same over so far that a portion of the ear will be severed by the cutter. When a single spiral roller is used in connection with the stationaryv bar this b'ar interferes with the movements of the ear so that the latter is not positioned and advanced toward the cutter in an entirely satisfactory manner.

-With the present construction of gaging de? vice the smoeth upper roller prevents the ears from being drawn too far between'the rollers and causes'the sameto be accurately positioned with relation to the cutter. At.

the same time the smooth rollerjdoes not retard or interfere with they movement of the ear butVv permits the same to not only move into an aceurateposition with relation to the cutter but to be moved smoothly and uniformly toward the cutter by the spiral roller. v

Under some conditions of operation the frictional contact between the gaging rollers and the ears of corn -is so increased as to cause the ears to be drawn too far between which will adhere to the ro 1ers.

the rollers, thus. misplacng the ear with found that this diliiculty can be entirely overcome by applying a liquid, such as oil or even water, to the rollers. This liquid may be applied to the rollers in various ways but, in the (present machine, we ,have provided. a liquil receptacle 17 which 1s ere shown as supported onv the bracket 9 above the cutter. A conduit 18 leads from this rece tacle to a point adjacent to the upper ro ler 11 and has its end so arranged that it will discharge the liquid onto this roller, from which-a portion of it will drip onto the lower roller. The liquid is deprovided with a valve 19 by means of which the iiow of liquid may be re lated. The

application of liquid to the ro ersserves to lubricate the same and to not only reducethe frictional contact between the rollers We have livered to the rollers in very small quanti-v` ties-and we have shown the conduit 18 asand the ear of corn but also to prevent the heating of the rollers and to prevent the adhesion of gummy matter to the rollers, and consequently the rollers will not grip the between the rollers.

Inasmuch as it is not practical to so place the ears by hand as to cause them to proper1 engage the gaging rollers we have provi ed a placing device which serves to move the lears transversely to the table 2 and butt of the ear suilici'ently to draw the same t cause the butt ends thereof to engage .the

'gaging rollers. As here shown, this device comprises an endless `belt 20 whichis mount- .ed on drums 21 rotatably mountedvbeneath the table and so driven that the upper stretch of the belt will move transversely'to the table toward the gaging rollers. The table itself is rovided with a transverse opening, as s own at 22 in which the upper 'stretch of the belt lies,the belt being so positioned that vits up er surface will be Hush with or slightliy a ove 'the level of the table so that it wil receive the ears and form the. sole support therefor during their transverse movement. Preferabl Athe surface'of the belt is roughened andy it is here shown as provided with teeth 23 which will bteinto the-husk of the'ear and cause the Esame to move with 'thebelt The.ear is pressed. firmly into Aengagement-with the belt by suitable resilient pressure devices whichl are preferably in the form of springs ,24 mounted on a fixed art o f the frame above the table, andthe orward. ends of which are bent rearwardly, as shownjat'25,'in Fig.

4, to provide `contact surfaces which will engage the ears while they are supported by the transversely movable belt 20. Because of the resiliency of these pressure devices they will accommodate themselves t0 ears of various sizes and hold the ear firmly in contact with the belt without exerting too much pressure on the large ear or too little pressure on the small ear. The contact portions of the springs are preferably inclined in the direction of movement of the belt so that the rear edge thereof Will not biteinto the husk and thus interfere with the movementof the ear by the belt.

If desired, a husk loosemng device may be also.provided for loosening the outer husks of the ear to facilitate their engagement'by the husking rollers and, as here shown, this husk loosening device is in the form of a spring 26 supported between the two pressure springs 24 and having its forward end bent rearwardly and provided With teeth 27 which will engage the husk of the ear and loosen the same as it is forced beneath the' toothed contact portion Vof the spring by the main conveyor. The toothed portion of the husk loosening device is preferably arranged beyond vthe ear placing belt 2O 'so that it will not interfere with the movement of the ear by that belt.

The main conveyor carries the ears along the table 2 past the butt removing device and thence through a chute 28 to a lower table 29, this table being so arranged with relation to the conveyor that the cleats will continue to move the ears along this lower table. Interposed between the endsof the lower table are aI plurality of husking rollers 30 which engage the husks on the ear and strip the sametherefr'om. In practice, however, these husking rollers will not always remove the entire husk but will leave por tions of the inner husk adhering to the ear.

v Ithas therefore been found desirable to provide additional husking rollers to remove the remaining portion of the husk. As -here shown the table 29 terminates in two inclined chutes 31 and 32, which are placed side by side and the table cut away, as shown at 33 and 34, to cause the 'two rows of ears, at the respective sides of the table. to be discharged respectively into the chutes 31 andv 32. Arranged in the respective inclined chutes 31 and 32 and forming the bottoms thereof are husking rollers 35 whichA are mounted in inclined positions corre# spending to the inclinations of the chutes. As the ears are dropped from the table into the chutes they will be'su'pported by the husking rollers and will move along the same by gravity, the husking rollers gripping the remaining husks and removing the 4same therefrom as the ears lmove down'- wardly. To revent` an accumulation of small-pieces o husks and silk at the lower vend of the husking rollers, .which would interfere with the discharge of the ears from `the rollers,.we have provided the rollers of tions or surfaces of the two rollers are so arranged that as the gears rotate with the husking rollers the -cut-away or toothless portions thereof will register one twith the other and form between the rollcrsa recess into which any accumulation of husks or the like at the ends of the husking rollers will move and the further rotation of the gears will cause these husks to be gripped by the teeth thereof and discharged beneath the gears. As here shown, eachof the gears 36 has a recess 37 formed in that portion of its peripheral surface adjacent to its husking roller, these recesses being so arranged that when they arebrought into registration one with the other by the rotation of the gears a Veshaped space will be provided between the gears, which will extend for approximately half the width of the gear, thereby imparting to each gear an eccentric shape. This V-shaped space being arranged in line with the space between the husking rollers it will be apparent that any husks which work downto the lower ends of these rollers will find their way into the space between the gears and will be engaged by the teeth of the-gears and withdrawn from the husking.

rollers. The ears themselves are discharged across the upper surfaces of the gears onto a suitable chute or receptacle of any kind. It will be obvious that a suitable space may be provided between the ears to receive the husks by cutting away a portion of one gear only.

While we prefer to usethe. transversely.

placed adjacent to the opening in the table' In Fig. Two-have so that the ears will bemoved into engagen mentwith the same by the main conveyor and this roller is positively actuated to move the ears transversely toward the raging devices. Asherc shown,- the roller has a series of longitudinally extending ribs, or corrugations. to'engage the ear and cause the same to he positively actuated by the roller.

The driving mechanism for the several operative parts ot the machine forms no part of the present invention and therefore has not been described in detail, as obviously it may be of any suitable character.

While we have shown and described one embodiment of our lnventlon we wlsh 1t to be understood that we do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various modifications may occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having now fully described our invention what we claim `as newand desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1 In a machine of the character described, a butt removing device, a conveyor to move an ear of corn toward said butt removing desaid gaging device comprising a lower spiral cylindrical sur roller and an ufpper roller having a smooth ace spaced a short ldistance rom and arranged substantially parallel with said spiral roller, and means for rotating| said rollers in opposite directions.

3. In a machine of the character described,

, a butt removing device, a conveyor to move v an ear of corn toward sald but-t removing de-` vice, a gaging device to position said ear with relation to said butt removing device,

said gaging device comprising a lower spiral roller and an upper roller having a smooth cylindrical surface spaced a short distance Vfrom and arranged substantially parallel with said spiral roller, means for rotating saidrllers in opposite directions, a receptacle for a-liquid, and a conduit leading from said receptacle and arranged to discharge liquid onto said upper roller. s

4. In a machine of the character described,

a butt removing device, a conveyor to move receive said ear as it is advanced by the rst lil)` an ear of corn toward said butt removing device, a g'aging device to position said ear with relation to said butt removmg devlce, a transversely movable conveyorarrange'd to mentioned conveyor and move the same toward said gaging device, and a resilient pressure' device arranged above said transverse conveyor to hold saideear in firm engagement therewith'. p v

5. In a machine of the character described, a butt removing device, a conveyor to move an ear of corn toward said butt removing device, a gaging demce to positionsaid ear with relation to saidbutt removing'device, a transversely ,movable conveyor arrangedto receive said ear as it' is'advanced by the rst mentioned conveyor and move the same'toward said gaging device, and ilat springs ar# ranged above said transverse conveyor to enyfrom said rollers.

gage the ear and press the sameagainst said transverse conveyor. r

6. In a machine of the character described, a butt removing device, a conveyor to' move an ear of corn toward Saidbutt removing device, a gaging device to position said ear with relation to said butt removing device, a

transversely movable endless belt having itsl surface roughened and having its, upper stretch arranged to receive the ear as it is advanced by the iirst mentioned conveyor and move the same toward said gaging deviceand avlat spring arranged above said endlessbelt to engage said ear and press the same against said belt, said spring having its contactL surface inclined in the direction of movement to the upper stretch of said belt.

7. In a machine of the character described,

.a butt removing device, a conveyor to move anear of corn toward said butt removing device, a gaging device to position said ear with relation to said butt removing device, a transverselymovable conveyor arranged to receive said ear as it is advanced by the first mentioned conveyor to move the same toward said gaging device, a resilient pressure device arranged above said transverse lconveyor to hold said-ear in firm engagement therewith, and a resilient .husk loosening` dev1ce arranged to engage said ear after 'it has moved beyondsaid transverse conveyor.

8. In a machine of the character describedf a pair of husking rollers, means for rotating said rollers, and gears secured to the respective rollers and arranged to mesh one with the other, each of said gears having the teeth omitted from a portion of its peripheral surface, the toothless portions 'of said gears being arranged to be brought into line one` with the other assaid gears rotate and thus provide a space between said gears to receive husks from said rollers.

9. In a machine of the character described,

a pair of husking rollers, means for rotating said rollers, and. gears secured to thev respective rollers and arranged to mesh one with the other, each of said gears'having a pe. ripheral vrecess inthat side thereof adjacent to the roller to which it is vconnectedrand said gears beingso .arranged that said recesses will register one with the other as said gears rotate and provide a recess between Vsaid gears to receive husks from said rollers. Q10. In a machine ofthe' character de scribed, a pair of husking rollers, means .for rotatmgsald' rollers, and gearsl secured to the respectlve rollers and.y arranged to mesh, one with the other. one of said gea-rs having a portion of reduced' radius .so arranged that when said portion is arransz'cd adjacent to the other gear. a space will 'be provided between said 11. In a machine of the character vgears to receive husksscribed, a table having a transverse opening therein, a conveyor` to Amove ears of corn lengthwise of said table, a butt removing device arranged at one sible of said table, a pair of gaging rollers arran ed at said side of said table in advance o said butt removing device, one of said rollers having a spiral rib and the other of said rollers having a smooth ((:ylindrical surface, means for applying liqui to said gaging rollers, a transversely movable endless belt arranged in the opening in said table to receive 'ears of corn and move .the same toward said gag# ing rollers, and a resilientpressure device arranged above said endless belt to press the 'ears against the same.,

12. In a machine. of the character described, a table having a transverse opening therein, a conveyorto move-ears ofcorn lengthwise of said table, a butt removing device arranged atene side of said table., a pair of ga'ging rollers arranged at said side 0f said table in advance of said butt remov-y in device, one of said `-rollersr having a spiral rib and the other of said rollers'having a smooth cylindrical surface, means for applying liquid to said gaging rollers, a' transversely movable endless belt arranged in the opening in said table to receive ears of corn and rove the same toward said gaging rollers, a resilient pre `sure device arranged above said endless ears againstthe same, husking rollers to receive the ears of corn after. the b utts havel been removed therefromL-said rollers being' arrangedin inclined positions to l'cause theears to move downthe same by gravity,

gearssecured to the ends of the respective rollers, one of. said gears having-a portion of relativelyshort radius which when adjacent to the other gear will provide a s ace between said gears to receive lii'isks rom said husking rollers. 4 I

13. In a machine 'of the character described, a table having a transverse opening lt`herein,.a conveyor to move the ears lengthwise of said table, a butt removing device at. one sideof said table, a pair ot' gaging rollers arranged at said side of said table in advance afsaid butt removin of said rollers having a spira? lt to press the smooth. surface.` l

device, one rib and theA Y other'of said `rollers having a smooth cylindrical surface, a feeding device arranged adjacent to the opening inv saidn table to receive the ear and'move the same toward said lgaging rollers, a resilient pressure device to press the ears against said feeding device, husking rollers to receive the ears after the butts have been removed there-- from, and gearsf'secur'ed to the ends of the respective 'huskingrollers, one of said gears having a portion of relatively short radius which, when adjacent to the other-gear, will provide a space betweensaid gears to receivehusks from said husking rollers.

14.` In a machine of the character described, a table having a transverse opening therein, a conveyor to movev ears of corn lengthwise of said table,- a butt removing device *arranged at one side of saidtable, a gaging device arranged at saidside of said table 1n .advance of said butt removing device,.a feedingv device supported adjacentto .said opening in-said table to receive the ears as they are advanced by' said conveyor and to move the same toward said gaging device, and fa resilient pressiire device arranged above rsaid feeding device to press the ears against the same. f f v f 15. In a machine of the character' described, a butt removing device, means to move an ear of corn towardsaid butt removing device, and a gaging device toposition said ear with relationto said buttremoving device, said gaging device comprisingcooperatin rollers, one of which has la spiral rib"i an the other of whichhas a;

16. In amachine of-the character de scribed,a butt removing device, a conveyor to move' an ear of corn toward said butt removing device, a gaging device to position said earwith relation to said butt removing device, an ear placing device lprovided with'V teeth and arranged toreceivesaidear as it -is advanced by the conveyor anfl"imve the same towards said lgaging device, and a flat spring arranged above said placing device.

to engage the ca rand press the same against the ,placing device. I

. In testimony whereof, we allix our signatures hereto. i,

' WILLIAMxW. MORRAL.

' E. 'MORRAL4 

